Week 11: Medications
Top 5 Meds You’ll Actually Give in the OB Ward (and Why)
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As a student nurse, there’s always that one moment when the clinical instructor asks:
“Anong gamot ‘to, and what’s it for?”
Suddenly, your mind goes blank. All you remember is “Oxytocin… pampakontra sa bleeding?”
But if you’re rotating in an OB ward in the Philippines, there are a few meds that show up over and over — and you’re expected to know why, how, when, and what to watch out for.
So here’s a student-friendly breakdown of the 5 most common OB meds, with a cheat-sheet feel (but totally legit and clinically sound).
“Anong gamot ‘to, and what’s it for?”
🟣 1. Oxytocin (a.k.a. Syntocinon)
Why it’s given:To help contract the uterus post-delivery, prevent postpartum hemorrhage, or augment labor.
Route: IM or IV (after delivery, usually IM)
What to watch out for:- Signs of overdose (hyperstimulation)
- Monitor uterine tone and vaginal bleeding
- VS monitoring (BP may drop!)
🔍 “Fundus hard? Bleeding minimal?” — That’s your cue that it’s working.─────────────────────────────
- Signs of overdose (hyperstimulation)
- Monitor uterine tone and vaginal bleeding
- VS monitoring (BP may drop!)
🟣 2. Methylergometrine (Methergine)
Why it’s given:
To treat or prevent postpartum hemorrhage by causing sustained uterine contractions.
Route: Usually IM
Contraindicated in:
Hypertension! Always check BP before giving.
What to do:
- Take BP first — if ≥140/90, report and do not give.
- Document BP and time of administration properly.
📌 CI alert: “Binigay mo ba ‘to kahit 150/90 BP?!” — Avoid that convo.
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Why it’s given:
To treat or prevent postpartum hemorrhage by causing sustained uterine contractions.
Route: Usually IM
Contraindicated in:
Hypertension! Always check BP before giving.
What to do:
- Take BP first — if ≥140/90, report and do not give.
- Document BP and time of administration properly.
📌 CI alert: “Binigay mo ba ‘to kahit 150/90 BP?!” — Avoid that convo.
🟣 3. Ferrous sulfate (Iron supplement)
Why it’s given:
To prevent or treat anemia, especially after blood loss during delivery.
Route: Oral
Nursing tip:
- Best taken on an empty stomach (but may cause gastric upset)
- Warn patient: “Ma’am, medyo itim-itim po yung dumi niyo ha, normal lang ‘yan.”
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Why it’s given:
To prevent or treat anemia, especially after blood loss during delivery.
Route: Oral
Nursing tip:
- Best taken on an empty stomach (but may cause gastric upset)
- Warn patient: “Ma’am, medyo itim-itim po yung dumi niyo ha, normal lang ‘yan.”
🟣 4. Paracetamol
Why it’s given:
Pain management — common for perineal pain post-episiotomy or uterine cramping.
Route: Oral
Reminders:
- Check for fever or pain level
- Educate mom: “Pwede po itong inumin kahit nagpapadede, safe po siya.”
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Why it’s given:
Pain management — common for perineal pain post-episiotomy or uterine cramping.
Route: Oral
Reminders:
- Check for fever or pain level
- Educate mom: “Pwede po itong inumin kahit nagpapadede, safe po siya.”
🟣 5. Cephalexin (or other antibiotics)
Why it’s given:
For C/S post-op or any infection risk (e.g., UTI, perineal wound, mastitis).
Route: Oral (for mild cases) or IV (in hospital)
Nursing tip:
- Always check allergy history
- Complete the course even if the patient feels better
- Watch for GI side effects or yeast infections (very common postpartum)
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Why it’s given:
For C/S post-op or any infection risk (e.g., UTI, perineal wound, mastitis).
Route: Oral (for mild cases) or IV (in hospital)
Nursing tip:
- Always check allergy history
- Complete the course even if the patient feels better
- Watch for GI side effects or yeast infections (very common postpartum)
Bonus: How to Impress Your CI
✅ Always know:
- Generic name
- Indication
- Side effects
- Nursing responsibility before/during/after
✅ Don’t say:
“Basta pampahinto ng bleeding po.”
✅ Instead, try:
“Oxytocin po, ordered to promote uterine contraction and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. I monitored fundic tone and amount of lochia after administration.”
Trust me — that kind of answer earns you points.
─────────────────────────────
✅ Always know:
- Generic name
- Indication
- Side effects
- Nursing responsibility before/during/after
✅ Don’t say:
“Basta pampahinto ng bleeding po.”
✅ Instead, try:
“Oxytocin po, ordered to promote uterine contraction and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. I monitored fundic tone and amount of lochia after administration.”
Trust me — that kind of answer earns you points.
To Fellow Student Nurses
You don’t need to memorize the whole pharm book.
Just know the meds that show up in your current rotation — and understand what they do in real life. That’s more helpful than any quizlet flashcard marathon.
“The more you understand the meds, the more confident you’ll be at the bedside.”
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You don’t need to memorize the whole pharm book.
Just know the meds that show up in your current rotation — and understand what they do in real life. That’s more helpful than any quizlet flashcard marathon.
“The more you understand the meds, the more confident you’ll be at the bedside.”
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